focal lengths for street photos?

[back alley]

So if you had a shot taken very close to the subject with a wide angle would it feel less voyeuristic than a similar shot taken from far away with a tele?

Conceptually I don't think one is more voyeuristic than the other.

i think its a subjective thing...

 

[Sparrow]

... you would need a really big bag for all those lenses Joe ... 😉

 

[Sparrow]

So if you had a shot taken very close to the subject with a wide angle would it feel less voyeuristic than a similar shot taken from far away with a tele?

Conceptually I don't think one is more voyeuristic than the other.

... it depends if one has both eyes open I expect

 

[thegman]

is there an ideal focal length for street shootng?
is there a lens too long for street shooting?

i have to admit to being a bit rigid in my own thinking about what lenses are 'best' for street and even more so in thinking that longer teles are a real no-no for street.
in fact, i think long lenses are 'cheating' when it come to street shooting…like the photgrapher lacks the courage to get close.

what do you think?

I don't believe in any right/wrong lenses. Longer lenses may show a a reticence to get close, but also it'll mean that the photographer's presence will not interfere with the shot.

If you lack the courage to get up close, I guess a street photographer has options:

1) Overcome the fear.
2) Only take pictures of people's backs.
3) Use a longer lens.

Most seem to pick no. 2 and denigrate those who choose no. 3. (not talking about you, Joe, just a general vibe on RFF).

 

[Colin Corneau]

Do whatever works for you. It helps to know your reasons for going out and making pictures in the first place. The clearer your intent, the easier the decisions are.

35 and 50 lenses portray what your eyes see, more or less.

 

[figfoto]

I find the 24mm and the 75mm on my M8's covers 99% of my street shots. With the M8 crop factor it's like having a 32mm and 100mm.

 

[cz23]

...If you lack the courage to get up close, I guess a street photographer has options:

1) Overcome the fear.
2) Only take pictures of people's backs.
3) Use a longer lens.

4) Learn to go unnoticed.

 

[back alley]

i probably sounded more judgemental in my original post than i meant to...

 

[f16sunshine]

It's my view this word being used a bit too loosely in this thread? "voyeurism"

voyeur |voiˈyər; vwä-|
noun
a person who gains sexual pleasure from watching others when they are naked or engaged in sexual activity.
• a person who enjoys seeing the pain or distress of others.
DERIVATIVES
voyeurism |ˈvoiyəˌrizəm; voiˈyərˌizəm; vwäˈyər-| |ˈvɔɪjəˈrɪzəm| noun
voyeuristic |ˌvoiyəˈristik; ˌvwäyə-| |ˈvɔɪjəˈrɪstɪk| |-ˈrɪstɪk| adjective
voyeuristically |ˈvɔɪjəˈrɪstək(ə)li| |-ˈrɪstɪk(ə)li| adverb
ORIGIN early 20th cent.: from French, from voir ‘see.’

 

[willie_901]

I prefer 28 or 50.

I have used 85 in crowds when I'm interested in candid head shots. I find 85 useful for events when I employ a candid/PJ style. The increased distance minimizes the risk of interfering with peoples' natural behavior during discussions.

I prefer not to crop except to minimize keystoning and or horizontal tilt... Although I occasionally crop as little as possible if there in a distraction like an out of focus elbow at the frame edge.

I don't like the perspective compression present with lenses longer than 90.

 

[willie_901]

It's my view this word being used a bit too loosely in this thread? "voyeurism"

Agreed. I'm waiting for the customary snapshot derision though.

 

[kuuan]

'28mm', actually 30mm equiv. using a 20mm Pen-F halfframe lens on my APS-C cams, is 'the' focal lenghts for the street for me.

 

[cz23]

It's my view this word being used a bit too loosely in this thread? "voyeurism"

Yes, that is incorrect. Sorry for introducing the term. Careless language on my part.

John

 

[fireblade]

If the city/villages/streets are narrow...50mm
If they are wide eg: a lot of modern cities...35mm
Wide open spaces...24mm